A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 1576 - 1058: Unexpected Trouble

Then there’s naturally nothing much to say. After Duanmu Huai took a nap and woke up, Liliath’s followers had already won the first victory in the ranking match.

And Duanmu Huai’s summoning list unlocked another slot. Throughout the entire process, Duanmu Huai did nothing, truly winning while lying down.

It would be great if he could just keep winning like this.

But as for whom to summon next... Duanmu Huai really couldn’t make up his mind, so he turned to Mary for discussion. After all, Mary has been with him for quite a while— or rather, due to the characteristics of the Golden Pupil, ever since Duanmu Huai took in Mary, he has taken her wherever he goes, so Mary is also the most familiar with the people around him.

"The next one, huh?"

Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, Mary showed a somewhat troubled expression.

"Though it feels kind of wrong to say so, shouldn’t we summon Miss Ann and little sister Ogis?"

"I plan to leave them for last. They have special strengthening methods and are not urgent for the moment."

Duanmu Huai shook his head. Soul Cards were not his main focus for strengthening this time. Duanmu Huai’s current goal is to fill in weaknesses, not to strengthen.

"I see, but I’m worried they might get upset..."

"Hmm? Why?"

"Uh... it’s nothing."

After lightly coughing, Mary quickly changed the subject.

"Currently, the pieces Mr. Duanmu uses are only my ’Queen’ and Miss Lumiere’s ’Castle’, right?"

"That’s correct."

Duanmu Huai nodded. His summoning list had unlocked three times, using two pieces, and Frieren was not among them. The reason is simple: the main reason Duanmu Huai summoned her was to teach the Human Magic System, which he plans to use as the exclusive magic system for the Tribunal to promote widely. As for Frieren herself... Duanmu Huai and she are not very close, so he doesn’t plan to invite her to join the Tribunal for now.

And Frieren indeed doesn’t seem to have that intent either.

"So, does Mr. Duanmu have any ideas currently?"

"I plan to leave the other ’Castle’ for Aikute."

"Ah... indeed Miss Aikute... she isn’t good at combat, but you don’t plan to summon her now?"

"Currently, it’s better to first enhance the power of the Tribunal."

Originally, Aikute was among the candidates Duanmu Huai intended to strengthen first, but with the emergence of many troublesome matters like the Non-compliant God, Duanmu Huai changed his mind. After all, aside from tactical command, Aikute, unlike Mary or Lumiere, does not have considerable self-defense capability. Summoning her now would be a complete burden. Her strength only fully manifests when commanding large forces, and with the Tribunal currently only having a few members, her presence would be of no use.

"Hmm, in that case, the remaining ones are two ’Bishops’, two ’Knights’, eight ’Soldiers’..."

Mary also fell into deep thought.

"Is Mr. Duanmu planning to leave the ’Bishop’ for Miss Mio?"

"We’ll see. If her ability meets my requirements." novelbuddy-cσ๓

Duanmu Huai was also undecided on this matter. Naruse Mio’s gravity and space attributes align well with his preferences, but the issue lies in her mindset and how much Frieren can teach her. If Naruse Mio can meet the standard Duanmu Huai wants, then giving her one of the Bishops isn’t out of the question.

"If that’s the case, I suggest focusing on ’Knights’ first..."

Mary pondered for a moment, then spoke. She had already heard Duanmu Huai explain the characteristics of the pieces. The [Queen] is all-around enhancement, [Castle] boosts offense and defense, [Knight] focuses on speed, and [Bishop] strengthens magic power.

Currently, Duanmu Huai’s [Queen] is Mary, one of the [Castles] is given to Lumiere, and the remaining one is reserved for Aikute. These two belong to the paper defense category, and giving them to Mary also posed no issue.

As for [Bishop], the current candidate is Naruse Mio, and although Duanmu Huai hasn’t said, Mary thinks there’s a high chance it’s prepared for Ann.

After all, when it comes to magic, Ann is the Tribunal’s top magic advisor.

So, next, the vacancies are [Knight] and [Soldier].

Not to mention the low-strengthening ones like [Soldier], focusing on speed for [Knight]...

"Miss Ling’Nu and Miss Zhenjiling, right? I remember both are speed specialists, and Miss Zhenjiling is a Horse Maiden... she seems very good at running."

Mary wasn’t very familiar with Ling’Nu because the female ninja was mysterious and elusive. Zhenjiling was quite familiar, and she had watched the flash series of Horse Maiden races, leaving a deep impression of their running speed.

"Hmm..."

After hearing Mary’s thoughts, Duanmu Huai also began to ponder. Indeed, if speed were the concern, the fastest in the Tribunal would be these two. But deciding who to summon requires Duanmu Huai to think more carefully. Ling’Nu specializes in intelligence and assassination, and combat prowess isn’t an issue. Zhenjiling’s combat prowess is weaker, but her [Superior Charm] is unparalleled, making her the exclusive diplomat for the Tribunal.

For now...

"I’ve decided to summon Ling’Nu first."

Duanmu Huai decisively made a decision. Judging by the current world forces, he doesn’t see a need for Zhenjiling to appear just yet. Additionally, Zhenjiling is a Horse Maiden, not a human, and her appearance differs slightly from humans, making it less favorable to appear publicly in this world. If the need for diplomatic negotiations arises in the future, he can always call on Zhenjiling then.

By the way, the [Soldier] piece Duanmu Huai decided to leave to Tutu, after all, Tutu’s [Luck] buff is exactly what he needs the most. Although the [Soldier]’s enhancement is not as powerful as the [Queen], for Tutu, it’s good enough.

After all, her task is to be Duanmu Huai’s cheerleader to bolster luck, she’s not expected to go to the battlefield, is she?

Decided then, once back, he’ll write an invitation to Miss Lingnu, of course, he’d also consider what she should bring along with her...

When Duanmu Huai and the others left the Devil World and returned to the Human World, it was already the next morning. Luckily, it’s a holiday today, so everyone yawned as they prepared to go back and rest. Just as they reached the church entrance, they witnessed something unexpected.

Right at the church door, a blonde nun was standing nervously with a broom, while in front of her was a green-haired handsome man, passionately saying something to the blonde nun.

"Isn’t that Isia? What’s going on with her? A confession early in the morning?"

Seeing this, Duanmu Huai couldn’t help but tease. As for this nun from the Fallen Angel Faction, Duanmu Huai is somewhat familiar. From her appearance, Isia seems like an innocent good girl, obedient, and fervently faithful. Every morning she’d wake up early to clean the church and express great zeal towards the Tribunal’s teachings.

Liliath had once persuaded her, hoping Isia could transform into a demon and become one of her followers. Her intention was clearly driven by Isia’s ability to heal demons — as demons with healing abilities are rare, if Isia could join Liliath’s faction, she’d clearly be a powerful trump card.

After all, a priest is essential to the triad.

However, Isia’s faith was devout, and she rejected Liliath’s persuasion... hmmm, devout faith?

Honestly, Duanmu Huai didn’t quite think so. Although the reason for Isia being labeled a witch sounds a bit whimsical, from the Tribunal’s perspective, it’s understandable. If a priest of the National Religion dares to save a Chaotic Demon, there’s no doubt they’d be promptly burned at the stake.

From this viewpoint, the church on the Angel’s side merely expelling her without hanging her was already quite gracious.

This is why, despite Isia’s strong abilities, Duanmu Huai never considered recruiting her into the Tribunal. Such a person who fails to distinguish her identity in a clearer sense might be called a Holy Mother, but truthfully, it’s just a muddle-headed fool. While by the Tribunal’s standards, the demons of this world aren’t considered Chaotic Demons, so Duanmu Huai simply doesn’t interfere. But if she was brought into the Tribunal and continued indiscriminately healing everyone, she clearly doesn’t suit the Tribunal.

The Empire does have specialized medical nuns, but even those would grab a chainsaw sword or bomb gun against demons or green skins, rather than overflow with goodwill and treat them.

Plus, Duanmu Huai’s lack of favorability towards the Fallen Angel faction means his relationship with Isia can only be described as ordinary...

But no matter the case, causing a scene right in front of one’s church is unacceptable.

"What’s the situation?"

Duanmu Huai yawned again, stepped forward, and queried, seeing Duanmu Huai’s appearance, Isia’s troubled expression instantly turned hopeful like seeing a savior, as she hastily ran over to Duanmu Huai’s side.

"Lord Duanmu, thank goodness, you’ve finally returned..."

"Who is that man?"

Duanmu Huai cast a glance at the green-haired handsome man and asked irritably.

Seeing a handsome man first thing in the morning, what bad luck.

Before the man could speak, Liliath identified him.

"Diadola? You’re Diadola?"

"Who?"

"Didn’t we see him at the banquet last night? Teacher Duanmu, he’s one of the new generation of demons and the successor sect master from King Beelzebub’s family."

After introducing to Duanmu Huai, Liliath then curiously looked towards the green-haired handsome man.

"But why are you here?"

"Ah, hello, Liliath. I watched yesterday’s competition; your victory was superb. As expected from the successor sect master of Gimonri."

Seeing Liliath, the green-haired handsome man also greeted her, then once more passionately gazed at Isia — Isia shivered and quickly hid behind Duanmu Huai, clearly unaccustomed to such attentions.

"...Have you forgotten me? Isia, we met during that time."

As he spoke, the green-haired handsome man loosened his buttons, revealing his chest... why are you stripping in front of others early in the morning? Are you crazy?

Just as Duanmu Huai considered whether he should directly pummel him, a scar appeared on the man’s chest, and upon seeing it, Isia seemed to recall something, her expression shifted.

"That wound... Could you be.......?"

"That’s right, although you never saw my appearance at that time, I am the demon from back then."

"Oh........"

Hearing this, Duanmu Huai suddenly understood. Isia was expelled from the church because she used her powers to save a demon. It now appears that this green-haired handsome man is the demon Isia saved.

Then, the green-haired handsome man walked up to the surprised Isia, knelt down halfway, and gazed at her.

"Isia, I’m here to receive you. I believe our meeting was fate — so, I hope you can become my wife."

".........uh?"

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Huai and the others instantly snapped out of their sleepiness.